Peonies

365 Cards Sunday Sketch

An easy card tonight.  For the flowers I folded tissue paper multiple times and used my peony Nestability to get all those nice layers.  I just layered, put them together with a brad and then just started scrunching.  The flower stems are just cardstock cut with decorative scissors. 

SPIES:

Stamps:  Spring sentiment.

Paper:  White, pale yellow cardstock. Pink plaid DP from stash.  Tissue paper for flowers.

Ink:  Pink

Extras:  Flower ribbon, pearl brads, pearl gem stickies.

Dazzling Challenges:
The Play Date Cafe:  Color Challenge
365 Cards:  Sketch Challenge
All Sorts:  Spring Is In The Air Challenge

Saturday Challenge:  Spring Theme

Smiles & Hugs!



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"In Your Easter Bonnet..."

Pals Paper Arts #34

 
A festive Easter Bonnet for PPA's sketch challenge this week.  I titled this card after the song, The Easter Parade, a very popular Easter song .  At Easter, in the church where my father preaches, he started a tradition to get all the women to wear hats or bonnets on Easter Sunday.  Of course, the women were more than happy to oblige him, but on one condition......that he wear a 'bonnet' as well.  So, my father will wear a beret or a nice type driver's cap on Easter Sunday and have his picture taken with all the women in the church. Thankfully, he lives in WV and I do not have to partake of this tradition (I hate hats except for my Red Sox cap)! I am much happier making bonnets for cards.

I inked the edges of two layers of paper and the bonnet to give it a more old time spring feel since hats were all the rage many decades ago. 

Easter Blessings!



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Wreath of Easter Joy

 

Two weeks before Easter and just like everyone else, I'm heavy into getting those Easter cards finished!  Here is a colorful one using the color challenge at The Color Dare.  I thought it was perfect for my idea to create an Easter wreath of Easter eggs. I used to have an Easter wreath made out of Easter eggs a long time ago.  Who knows where it went.  Anyway, I started this card earlier today (Monday), but it just wasn't coming together.  Probably had to do with the fact that I had no DP paper in those colors at all without at least two or three other colors too.

So, since I had to take my son to soccer practice, I decided to kill the 90 minutes at the local craft store browsing.  What happened is that I came home with a bag full of craft goodies including this wonderful multi-colored circle pattern and the ribbon!  Not only does the paper have all the colors for Color Dare, but it also fits with the challenge at Crafty Creations to use 'spots and dots'.  What luck!  I even got the cute transparent sticky dots on the eggs!

For the wreath, I used the Sizzix scallop circle with frame  (saved the frame for another project).  I stamped the Easter greeting in the middle of the circle and then glued the eggs around the edge of it.  Then, I used the Sizzix clear circle scallop for the outer wreath and embossed it with the Quick Kutz flower emboss folder.  I originally came up with the idea of using my Cuttlebug Xmas wreath emboss folder and to embellish it with the eggs and gems.  However, it just didn't work too well.  And, I love the final look of the wreath with the double scallop layers.

The green dot embossed paper is not the back of the Basicgrey DP.  I stuck it on after folding back the corner of the other DP.  At that point, I really loved the card but felt it needed something in that upper right corner, so the reason for the bunny.

SPIES:

Stamp:  Sentiment - Craft Smart
Paper:  DP -Lime Rickey from Basicgrey.  Embossed Green Dots - DCWV.
Ink:  Versamark with turquoise emboss powder.
Extras:  Striped ribbon, transparent dot stickies; Sizzix bunny diecut and two  circle dies.  EK Success mini egg punch.


Dazzling Challenges:

The Color Dare  Color Challenge
Crafty Creations:  Spots & Dots
Our Creative Corner:  Easter
Lexi's Creations:  Easter


Smiles!


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Spring Chicks

Dazzling Challenges:

SPCC: Color Challenge
Sweet Sunday:  Sketch
Bee Crafty:  Digi Stamp/Spring Theme
Crazy4Challenges:  Spring


SPIES:

Stamps:  Digital Stamp -Tiny Friends from Soft Pencil.
Paper:  Colored cardstock.  Plaid DP.
Ink:  Watercolor pencils and Marvy pens.
Extras:  Yellow gingham ribbon; yellow flower button; raspberry buttons; yellow button; yellow and raspberry flower brads. 






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Live Life

What a gorgeous weekend we had!  This card is truly a testament for the first weekend of spring to get outside and enjoy!  I thoroughly enjoyed a warm spring Saturday evening with my sons at the soccer park watching the Carolina Railhawks play the MLS New England Revolution in a friendly preseason match.  Seeing as how the Revolution are my favorite MLS team, not even my cold would have kept me away.  I even got to meet one of my favorite players on the team, Shalrie Joseph and got a picture with him.  And, the evening culminated with the Revolution winning 2-1.  I probably should be more supportive of the Railhawks seeing as how we live down the street from their stadium.  Yet, I must confess, it is cheaper to stay home and watch MLS and Premier League on TV.  And, I can craft at the same time!

Color Throwdown #84

Sketches By Tamara

Dazzling Challenges:
ColorThrowdown - #84 Color Challenge
Sketches By Tamara  - #111 Sketch Challenge

Stamps:  Digital stamp - Paper Lanterns by Squigglefly.  Live Life by Inkadinkadoo (I think).
Paper:  Sky blue and black cardstock.  Tangerine vellum.  Aqua Mulberry textured paper.
Ink:  Staz On Black.  Gel pens for lanterns to make them shine.
Extras:  Black rick rack ribbon.  Teal brads. Mosaic cuttlebug emboss folder.  Decorative scissors for black bottom border.


Enjoy!



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Electrifying Birthday

Another multi-challenge card.  I loved the sketch from Card patterns this week.  I've had the gaming DP for a while and with a couple teen boy birthdays coming up, I thought it perfect to use along with the digital stamp, Video Boy  from Mo's Digital Pencil Shop.

I downloaded a template for the controller die from Deviant Art,   printed it on regular paper for a template.  Cut it out in black cardstock, outlined it with a silver paint marker, added lime green gem dots and silver brads.  The 'cable' is exactly that, part of left over television cable that my husband cut and spliced up for me.  Talk about a hubby who supports my hobby!

Stamps:  Digital stamp, Video Boy - Mo's Digital Pencil.
Paper:  DP:  High Score video paper - Moxxie.  Peacock Red faux leather paper from Hot Off The Press.  Black, lime green, red cardstock and black polka dot from stash.
Ink:  Marvy Pens. Light peach pencil for skin.
Extras:  Game controller die.  TV cable.
 
Challenges:

Card Patterns - Sketch #55
Kaboodle Doodles - Birthday card
Stamp Simply - #131 CAS Texture
Lexi's Creations - Birthday

Ok, I don't know what I was thinking.  I was just about done with this post when while looking at the card I realized, I didn't color his skin!  Geesh!  So, it may not make the Card Pattern challenge but that's okay.  Of course, after I colored it I then had to rephotograph it.  Oh, for the love of art! 




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HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!   

Top o' the morning to ya!

An Irish Proverb:

Beautiful young people are acts of nature, But beautiful old people are works of art.

An Irish Blessing:

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

 

May God Be With You!

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Lavender Dreams

Well, I'm late for the Play Date Challenge this week.  Spending four days in bed with a very bad cold slowed me down tremendously.  Two weeks ago it was just a sinus headache.  Last week, it turned into a sneeze and just snowballed from there.  I had already started this card so even though it's late I posted it anyway.  I had decided to add a couple other challenges while making it too.  I love these colors, they match my bedroom and master bath!  I may just have to keep this card, frame it and hang it in the bath!

I tried another new technique today too.  Over at Gingersnap Creations was a tutorial on tissue paper fringe.  Very easy and it got my sewing machine out of the dust!  I'll definitely use that again.  A really cute idea.

Stamps:  Lavender from My Favorite Things.
Paper:  Lilac, Olive and Cream cardstock.  DP from stash.
Ink:  Staz On Black. Color Markers.
Extras:  'Dream' tag; pastel gem stickies; cream flowers; lilac tissue paper.


Challenges:
Play Date Cafe: Vintage Chic and Color Challenge
Pile It On:  Pastel Colors
Paper Cutz: Anything Goes
Tanda Stamps: 137 Simply Spring




Sweet Dreams!



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Erin Go Bragh!

Erin Go Bragh!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Eve!

With the maiden name 'Harrah', I cannot overlook this holiday. Of course everyday of the year, I am proud of all of my heritage, but Irish just happens to be a bigger portion of it.  Interestingly enough, I just discovered that the majority of Harrahs in the U.S. back in 1920 resided in my home state of West Virginia. And yes, I always get asked if I am any relation to the Harrah's Casino family.  Probably somewhere in the distance, but sadly not close enough to reap any good benefits.

Well, I digress.  A green card today to celebrate tomorrow's holiday of Irish green!  I saw the challenge at Just Us Girls to do a flap card and decided to try it.  It was a lot of fun to make.  And the free bear digi stamp at Digi Doodle Shop's Best was so cute.  I did have some trouble with the magnet closures.  I couldn't find the right ones so I had to opt for the regular magnets.  Thus, I wound up putting one not just on the flap and back of the inside, but also behind the celery strip DP on the front.  With the layers of paper I had, two magnets were not strong enough to hold it shut.  And, to add some extra punch, I added the rope too and tucked the flap underneath.  The shamrocks inside were stamped, embossed and then cut out.  I double embossed them.

Stamps:  St. Paddy's Day Bear, a free download from Digi Doodle Shop's Best. 'Go Green' and Irish sentiment, Studio G. Shamrock stamp, Hampton Art.
Paper:  DP from stash.  Kraft, Dark Olive, Light Olive cardstock.
Ink:  Versamark,  green emboss powder. Water color pencils on digital bear stamp.
Extras:  Straw rope twine; green gems; Nestabilities Label four; Cuttlebug dot emboss folder; bracket style decorative scissors.

And so, an Irish blessing for all:

May you have love that never ends,
lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do,
and may God send many blessings to you!

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Happy Easter

CPS

A festive Easter card.  I had some new Easter DP I've been wanting to use and so even though I wasn't able to get this entered in time for the challenge at CPS, I still used their sketch  because it compliments my stamp trio.  It's also a very classic layout.  The bunny, egg and sentiment made a good stamp trio that I found in a bargain bin.

Now I'm off to 'Spring Forward'!





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Fabulous Tie

Get Sketchy #28 
Make a SHAPED card! 

The bonus challenge is Spring Themed!

My second post for today.  I think I'm finally back in the creative groove even with a cold.  Yes, the old sinus headaches transformed into a nice spring cold.  So, maybe DayQuil and NiQuil have something to do with my creative streak more than I do!  LOL!

The bow tie layout was another one of my doodle sketches late one night.  I was going to either freehand draw the tie or piece it together some witty little way, but then I cheated a little and found this nice template online:  http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/bow_tie_template.pdf.  There are three different sized bow ties ready to print and use.  I used the largest one here.

I love the colors this week at Embellish Magazine and Get Sketchy's Challenge #28 is for a shape card with a spring theme for a bonus. 

 Stamps:  Fleur De Lis - Hampton Art.  'You Are Fabulous' - Anna Griffin.
Paper:  Yellow, Pink and Peach cardstock.  DP:  Embossed green dots - DCWV.
Ink:  Raspberry pink - Hampton Art.
Extras:  Flower punch, EK Success; Peach fabric flower; Dark pink button; Sage green polka dot ribbon; Scallop and Rope border punches - Fiskars; Bow tie template (see above).


Have a Fabulous Night!



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Hippity Hoppity

It is finally beginning to feel like spring around here. Of course, spring time many times means wet and soggy weather and that is exactly what the southeast is experiencing for the next few days.  No bother.  Gives me the excuse to stay indoors and craft!

I made this card yesterday and didn't have time to post it.  I have had the idea for it brewing for a while.  So while I was perusing the world of card challenges that I normally participate in, I came across  Ann's Creative Nook, Challenge #80- White On White.  Thus, the work commenced.  Since I found her challenge via Pile It On, I noticed that they were having a color challenge as well that fit my card as well .So I decided to try multi-challenges.  I think the most I have done is maybe three at one time.  This time, there are five.  Probably if I look long enough I could add to that number, but I don't think I will.  The list of challenges that I entered this card into is below my 'spies'.

Stamps:  Hippity Hoppity from Craft Smart
Paper:  White cardstock. DP from stock.
Ink:  Memories Blush
Extras:  Paisley and tiny dots emboss folders from Cuttlebug; egg punch, butterfly punch - EK Success; clear and pink gems; lace ribbon.  Paper crimper.

Challenges:
Ann's Creative Nook:  Challenge #80 - White On White
Pile It On: - The One You Must - One Color + A Neutral
Stampin B's:  Spring or Easter card
Stamp Something:  Girly card
Flutter By Wednesday: Open challenge - just include butterfly, fairy or angel

I must say that I love the blog, Pile It On, it's a kind of 'one stop shop' for challenges and some of my favorites are listed there.  So, hop on over and take a look yourself, if you don't already!




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